Forward Union
17th December 2006, 10:55
I need your help then. I'm 16, in high school, no job, maybe one comrade.
Glad you asked, I've been meaning to do this for a while.
This is of course based on my own, limited experience in setting up local organisations. Other people will probably be able to give you better advice :P
To form a community group. First you have to ask yourself the basics. Are you going to be an Anarchist group, a communist one, or just a group that works democratically for working class interests etc?. If you put an Anarchy A or hammer and sickle on your leaflets, you will attract a very specific group of people. But that's sometimes a good idea, they'll be a good core of people to kick-start somethingmore popular.
Basically you need to sort out what your group is, and the best way of doing that is by establishing some Aims and principals. Many groups operate around the 5, short, PGA hallmarks (http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/pga/hallm.htm) They are simple, not too wordy, and vague enough to let most people in. But not those who obviously disagree, like fascists...
The most important thing to do is to get a few hundred leaflets done. Before you do that however, try and find out about something happening locally, an attack on your community, like a factory closure or something bigger like the health service or the war in iraq, or perhaps even privatisation of industry.
I would start the leaflet;
"7pm, Friday, wherever - A meeting to discuss, democratically, ways to stop X* (*factory closure, decline in public spending, war in iraq, etc) that can be carried out locally"
The best places to hit with your leaflets/posters, are universities, libraries, and the town centre. If you have any organic or fare trade cafes nearby, ask to put a few in those, and also, any football matchs. If by some chance you can afford an advert in the local paper, it can't hurt to take that option up. It is also a good idea to provide tea/alcohol, or hold the meeting somewhere that serves these things.
Normally a few hundred people will turn up if it's around a big local issue. If it's not, you will simply attract a few. Depends if the SWP are fishing in your creek or not. 5-10 is more than enough people to start a group. But before any form of meeting starts, you should make clear how the group will operate. Don't say like an Anarchist collective, use terms like 'democratically' and say you will rotate important positions like treasurer and facilitator. Most people see that as common sense anyway. :rolleyes:
A few logistical problems...
Finance. You might not be able to afford to produce 100 leaflets, and rent out a small hall for a meeting.
If you adopt The anarchist federations aims and principals (http://flag.blackened.net/af/aims.html) and affiliate as a branch, we'd be more than happy to support you in setting up a local group. I am of course assuming you're from the UK, but we have branches in other countries.
You could also simply save up, or ask your mates to donate. Bare in mind that at this meeting, it is common for the host to ask for some funds to help the renting on the venue, so you will hopefully make some of it back.
Best to get all this stuff done first. Then really your group wil lhave to run itself.
If you want help with the text for the leaflet, or anything else, don't hesitate to ask.
Glad you asked, I've been meaning to do this for a while.
This is of course based on my own, limited experience in setting up local organisations. Other people will probably be able to give you better advice :P
To form a community group. First you have to ask yourself the basics. Are you going to be an Anarchist group, a communist one, or just a group that works democratically for working class interests etc?. If you put an Anarchy A or hammer and sickle on your leaflets, you will attract a very specific group of people. But that's sometimes a good idea, they'll be a good core of people to kick-start somethingmore popular.
Basically you need to sort out what your group is, and the best way of doing that is by establishing some Aims and principals. Many groups operate around the 5, short, PGA hallmarks (http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/pga/hallm.htm) They are simple, not too wordy, and vague enough to let most people in. But not those who obviously disagree, like fascists...
The most important thing to do is to get a few hundred leaflets done. Before you do that however, try and find out about something happening locally, an attack on your community, like a factory closure or something bigger like the health service or the war in iraq, or perhaps even privatisation of industry.
I would start the leaflet;
"7pm, Friday, wherever - A meeting to discuss, democratically, ways to stop X* (*factory closure, decline in public spending, war in iraq, etc) that can be carried out locally"
The best places to hit with your leaflets/posters, are universities, libraries, and the town centre. If you have any organic or fare trade cafes nearby, ask to put a few in those, and also, any football matchs. If by some chance you can afford an advert in the local paper, it can't hurt to take that option up. It is also a good idea to provide tea/alcohol, or hold the meeting somewhere that serves these things.
Normally a few hundred people will turn up if it's around a big local issue. If it's not, you will simply attract a few. Depends if the SWP are fishing in your creek or not. 5-10 is more than enough people to start a group. But before any form of meeting starts, you should make clear how the group will operate. Don't say like an Anarchist collective, use terms like 'democratically' and say you will rotate important positions like treasurer and facilitator. Most people see that as common sense anyway. :rolleyes:
A few logistical problems...
Finance. You might not be able to afford to produce 100 leaflets, and rent out a small hall for a meeting.
If you adopt The anarchist federations aims and principals (http://flag.blackened.net/af/aims.html) and affiliate as a branch, we'd be more than happy to support you in setting up a local group. I am of course assuming you're from the UK, but we have branches in other countries.
You could also simply save up, or ask your mates to donate. Bare in mind that at this meeting, it is common for the host to ask for some funds to help the renting on the venue, so you will hopefully make some of it back.
Best to get all this stuff done first. Then really your group wil lhave to run itself.
If you want help with the text for the leaflet, or anything else, don't hesitate to ask.